New Butterfly Garden At Princeton's MarketFair Honors Grieving Families

PRINCETON, NJ - MarketFair in Princeton has unveiled a new public butterfly garden dedicated to Good Grief, a New Jersey nonprofit that provides free peer support and education for children and families coping with the death of a parent or sibling.

The permanent garden installation will be unveiled during a public dedication ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The 841-square-foot garden, open year-round and free for the public, features native, pollinator-friendly plantings provided by Devries Landscaping & Patio Shop that create a habitat for butterflies and other pollinators. The garden is located along the Brunswick Pike entrance near Starbucks and includes a connecting sidewalk and a commemorative dedication marker honoring Good Grief's mission.

"We believe MarketFair's role in the community goes beyond our storefronts," said Anthony Palino, MarketFair General Manager. "Our goal for MarketFair is to be more than a place to shop and dine, but a place where people can gather, connect and find moments of meaning. We're proud to partner with Good Grief to create a permanent space that supports local families and celebrates hope."

MarketFair funded the garden's installation and will provide its ongoing care.

"Since we opened our Princeton Family Center in 2013, the Princeton community has been wonderful to Good Grief, donating time and resources to enable us to provide free support to hundreds of grieving children and their families," said Good Grief Executive Director Christian Heiss.

"The butterfly garden at MarketFair is a beautiful representation of how this community has embraced us. We are grateful to MarketFair for helping us raise awareness and providing a peaceful space for families while remembering those who have died. Together, we are creating a grief informed society where compassionate support is accessible to all."

The Aug. 20 dedication ceremony will include remarks from Heiss and MarketFair leadership, followed by a butterfly release and an invitation for community members to join in planting the garden.

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